OBJECTIVES

• Determination of dynamical properties of biological pretreated and stabilized waste as well as Reinforced Earth materials
• Investigation of basic mechanisms, the dynamical behavior is due to
• Identification of material parameter affecting the dynamical properties
• Evaluation of appropriate materials and mixtures to act as an ground isolator against earhquake loading

METHOD

• Samples of MSW and Reinforced Earth materials are investigated in cyclic simple shear test
• Damping and degradation values are determined

Samples of various waste materials

Waste specimen after cyclic shear tests showing irreversible deformations

RESULTS

• Extraordinary damping characteristic of pretreated MSW
• Due to its extremly high shear strength, MSW is able to bear shear deformation up to 25 % without failure
• Shear strength of MSW and reinforced materials is not recorded completely in simple shear test procedures. Large scale testing might generate even better results
• damping hits maximal values of 60%!

results of DSS-tests - MSW sample called Stendal vs. reinforced sand

results of DSS-tests - damping of various waste samples vs. sand

Towhata, Kawano, Yonai, Kölsch (2004): Laboratory tests on dynamic properties of municipal waste. 11^th International Conference Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Berkeley. Download